Authors Note

Hello there. I have to admit but I did not expect that influx of people reading this story. I had more people read it in a matter of hours than I do normally get in a month so I was chuffed to bits. I would have got this chapter done earlier but I had two Exams earlier this week and sadly I know I have completely fail on my tides exam and I have to pay £60 to resit to pass the MCA standard, so I've been feeling a bit down. But on the upside I was given my results for RADAR Plotting and I got 100% only me and one other person, who was on the same ship as me got 100% so that lifted my spirits.

Oh and could you please review? It would make me feel better if you did.

Enjoy

It was the next day and the sun was once again rising over the Nevada town of Jasper and the children of the town entered the school building to begin the last day of the week before they could be set free to run riot for the weekend. It was the same for Jack, Miko and Raff. Just like yesterday the three went their separate ways to their own classes just in time before the clock struck nine in the morning, the only difference from the day before was Raff was understandably nervous of Vince and what his gang was going to do at lunch time, but luckily for him Elita was going to speak with the principal along with him using her hologram and Raff was hoping that Vince wouldn't retaliate because of speaking with the principal.

Back at the base, Michael had just got up after having a well-deserved lie in. As he came into the main control room and up the stairs to human area on the platform he noticed a bowl of cereal which was accompanied by a mug of tea was sitting on the table by the sofa. He didn't expect to find a breakfast already made for him, but he knew who it was. It reminded him of the time where he was paralyzed and he needed constant, round the clock care. He tried not to think too much about that time as his life, as he knew it would have been over. The scar from the emergency surgery that June performed after he was shot by a sniper was still visible under his shirt, it was a constant reminder of just how lucky he was. It wasn't the first time he was close to his death.

"Morning Ratchet" Michael greeted politely.

"Morning" Ratchet barely acknowledged Michael as he was once again working on the main computer.

"What been happening so far?"

"Nothing of real interest. Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee went to take the children to school and that's it for now"

"Oh" Michael didn't press any further and started his breakfast which was waiting for him. As he was eating his breakfast Elita and Optimus came into the control room to speak with Ratchet.

"Have you discovered any energon deposits, old friend?" Optimus asked.

"As a matter of fact I have. It doesn't appear to be that substantial, but it is certainly worth investigating"

"What is the location of this energon deposit?"

"In Northern Idaho"

"Well then. Ratchet, open the ground bridge"

"Hang on Optimus" Michael called out "Mind if I tag along?"

Optimus thought hard about it. If it were the children, he'd say no without having to think about it, but this was Michael. The one who had dared to summon Megatron and then insult him to the face and get away with it, even most Autobots couldn't pull that off, but Michael did. But at a cost, Megatron had sworn to make sure Michael suffered for it, but no one knew how or more importantly, when he would do.

"Michael, I believe it is best that you remain here. Should the Decepticons find you, they will no doubt capture you and bring to Megatron and I fear you who not survive"

"Come on Optimus, he has already tried to kill me twice and failed so I'm pretty sure nothing will happen this time. Besides it just a small energon deposit, they won't be looking for me now would they?"

By now the three other Autobots arrived back and transformed into their robot modes.

"What going on?" Arcee asked.

"We have discovered a new energon deposit and I am trying to tell Michael that it is too dangerous for him to go with us"

"Optimus" Arcee started with a tone that said 'you need to listen to what I'm about to say' "With all due respect Michael isn't like Miko and he is more than capable of looking after himself. Also if the energon is in too tight a place for us then maybe Michael could help out"

Optimus didn't mind Arcee telling him that he might be making a wrong choice that is why she is his second in command, otherwise if he didn't listen, what was the point of it all.

"Very well" He gave in. Michael smirked and gave a wink at Arcee, thanking for her approval.

He quickly rushed back to his room to pick up a weapon he always had in the room. He went to the bed side table and taped to the bottom of it was a Desert Eagle Mk IV. He hid it so the children wouldn't stumble upon it by accident. He looked inside one of the draws and pulled out three clips and a holster. He slipped one clip in the magazine and clicked the safety on then holstered the massive hand gun under his left arm. Under most situations he would never have picked the Desert Eagle as it was just too powerful because after quickly emptying an entire clip he always found that his arm would feel saw and numb after the jarring from the massive recoil. But it was because it was so powerful it might just do some damage to a Decepticon, so for that reason he was using it. He slid the two remaining clips into the holster under his right arm, grabbed his leather jacket and ran back to the main control room from leaving the main control room to coming back took three minutes, start to finish.

"Right, I'm ready to roll!" He shouted out as he ran into the control room.

Optimus looked over to Ratchet "Activate the ground bridge"

Ratchet pulled the levers down and swirling wall of light appeared and one by one the five Autobots and Michael walked through, leaving Ratchet all to himself to finally to have some quiet time to do his never ending work.

In a forest in Northern Idaho the ground bridge appeared and the Autobots and Michael came through and made a quick sweep of the area for any prying eyes, albeit human or Decepticon, but there were only trees and wildlife.

Optimus addressed his troops "We will split in two groups of three. Bulkhead, Bumblebee, you two will come with me. Elita, Michael, you will follow Arcee. As always, be on your guard and report as soon as you find anything" He was saying the last part for Michael's benefit, although there was no real need for it as he knew what he was doing.

Optimus led the two in a north westerly direction while Arcee took a north easterly direction so they would swoop round forming an oval on the map, meeting up again at different sides of a mountain where the energon signal was coming from.

After a few minutes of careful silence, Michael asked Elita "So what was with Raff yesterday?"

"You noticed he disappeared too? He was a bit upset as he was being bullied at school"

"Oh, no" Michael was sad to hear it.

"They took his lunch money and threatened him to keep quiet" Michael could only shake his head.

"I can understand what he must be going through as I was bullied at school as well"

Arcee looked back at the two, surprised by what he said "You were bullied at school, I find that hard to believe"

"Yeah, I was always taunted about being an orphan. The cruellest group of people after the Decepticons is children"

"So what did you do? Did you go to the teachers?"

"What? Are you kidding? No, I beat them to a pulp when the teachers weren't looking, after that they didn't bully me anymore as they were all too afraid of me"

Arcee wasn't shocked to hear that "I'd thought you'd say something like that"

"So who's bullying Raff?" Michael asked.

"Somebody called Vince. Though I don't think that will mean much to you" Michael stopped dead in his tracks and the two female Autobots stopped.

"Vince?" He asked to clarify. Elita nodded "Yes, that's what he said"

Arcee quickly worked it out "He was the one you sorted out when his gang tried to force free food from Jack at his place of work, you don't think…"

"Yep, after being humiliated he has decided to come back onto the stage to regain his former image even when I warned him quite clearly"

"Well, later today I'll be seeing the principal with Raff to ask that the teachers do something about it" Elita added in quickly, knowing that Michael just suddenly decided to sort out Vince once again.

"Probably the best thing to do. If you get any problems, you let me know"

"Sure"

The trio carried on through the woods, Arcee keeping point with Elita close behind while Michael brought up the rear while checking behind.

Also in the forest was a certain spiderbot who had been sent by Megatron to scout out an energon signal that Soundwave had detected. She crawled along with her eight legs, moving fast. She hated being relegated to energon scouting, she was the third-in-command in the mighty Decepticon cause, this was a job for those she considered lesser than herself. She'd rather be hunting down Arcee and her human pet Jack who she considers as 'her Jack'. But when she had for a short time teamed up with MECH she managed to capture Elita, who had crash landed on the filthy organic planet which she despised so much and tried to use that as a way to lure Arcee and Jack as she was sure they would come to Elita's rescue. But all she got was a human she had never seen before, however this human really got her attention, she found it fun hunting down Jack when they first met but she made it easy for the boy and that was just too boring for her. But his other human had managed to take on the full force of MECH. He was strong for a human and knew a lot and could fight hard. She decided that she'd have a lot more fun hunting him down as her prey as he would be more of a challenge and today was going to be her lucky day as said human was nearby, not that she knew it yet.

Arcee's team had now covered quite a few miles in a short time and were nearing the site of the energon deposit as they came close to the foot of the mountain. They came to stop while in the cover of the plant life looking out into a clearing in the trees, hiding to make sure that the Decepticons hadn't already arrived. Where they were expecting to only see the Decepticon troopers they saw the one all three had a hatred for, Arachnid. Elita on instinct pulled Michael closer to her body as so to protect him, but Michael was having none of it as he pushed her arms away. Arcee growled to herself.

"She'll pay for what she did to Tailgate" She was about to pounce when Michael reached out to try and stop her.

"Arcee, don't you dare" He warned "Revenge won't get you anywhere, Tailgate will still be dead anyway. Haven't you ever thought that maybe I wanted to exact revenge for my mother's death, and also getting revenge on Silas for killing my friend Richard? You've got to stop being so selfish. We work as a team, got that?"

Arcee sighed, she knew that Michael was right.

"Now what we are going to do is this, I'm going over there and she will go away, hopefully run away but go away nonetheless"

"No way, it's too dangerous, you think that gun of yours will scare her?"

"I won't be using my gun" He tapped the side of his head "I'll use my noggin, which you clearly aren't using right now. Now stay here and be on guard. Are we clear on that?"

Elita reluctantly agreed she knew that Michael knew what he was doing. Arcee remained silent

"Are we clear?" He asked again glaring at her.

"Yes" Arcee sneered.

"I'll pretend you didn't just do that" Michael said which surprised Arcee. Michael knew how do deal when people were acting just how Arcee was.

He crawled out on the brushes, hugging the edge of the opening where Arachnid was, keeping himself hidden, but he didn't pull out his gun, he wasn't going to use it. His brain was a more formidable weapon and would do more damage than a bullet could.

Arachnid stood in the opening, scanning for the best place to start digging. She hadn't scanned for any Autobot life signals because the deposit was so small she didn't believe they would have detected it. She saw where the energon vein when and as she was about to transform to drill through the surface "Hello there" Came the voice of the very human she wanted to have fun with. She quickly turned around to see Michael standing in the clearing, where the same as she had always seen, black Chelsea boots, jeans and light blue shirt and a suede colour leather jacket. He stood there for a moment while Arachnid immediately scanned the area for Autobots

"There not here" Michael started "Have they ever been where I am. They weren't in that container yard, or on the car carrier or in the desert so why would they be here this time?"

"So why are you here then?" Arachnid asked.

"Oh, I had a long weekend off, cancelled lectures you see. And one of my class mates told me about a holiday of his in this state a few years ago, so I was immediately on the train to the airport and here I am. Then I thought you know what? I think I'll trash some Con's for fun"

"Be careful about what you say, that sort of talk will get you killed, most likely by me"

"I think you have such an incredibly sexy voice, you know that?" Arachnid was stunned by his remark, never did she imagine that her prey would find her voice 'sexy' she believed it would instil fear into her prey. But she enjoyed the comment all the more.

"I think it's why Megatron hasn't disposed of you yet" Michael smirked.

Arachnid growled, he was playing her for a fool and she didn't like to play for as one. She was about to lunge forward at Michael but he simply raised a hand "Don't even think it" He said slowly with menace. "There is one thing you need to consider, how long have I been here?" What Michael was really asking was 'What is the likelihood that I have set traps?'

Arachnid couldn't tell if he was telling the truth as she knew he was capable of doing it. She did enjoy chasing Jack but Michael was the real challenge but at a cost, Michael could fight back. Jack got lucky but Michael could do it outright without the need of luck.

Both stood in a silent deadlock, each trying to anticipate what the other might try to do. Elita and Arcee could only watch in wonder as the human had managed to stop the sadistic Decepticon with nothing but words, an amazing feat for anybody.

Arachnid squinted slightly, but Michael didn't his face became devoid of all emotion he was showing only his cold and dark demeanour, a battle of silence which was abruptly broken when Michael lurched forward and screamed while putting his hands out.

"AHHHHH!" He screamed at the spider Con.

Arachnid subconsciously put one of her eight legs back. Arachnid only noticed when it stopped moving and she scolded herself and hoped Michael didn't notice, but he did.

"HAHAHA! You're scared of me HAHA! HAHAHAHAAA!" He laughed manically. Arachnid couldn't believe it he actually scared her slightly, not by much but it was enough to be of concern.

"In fact you should be terrified of me" He went on "If the Autobots found you, they'd give you a second chance, apart from Arcee of course. But me? Different story"

"Like you could do anything to harm me"

"Remember, back at that MECH base, I cut a head off one of them and that was easy, I think I might cut your spider legs first then slowly dismantle you as you watch, then I will rip out you spark… then eat it. How do you think will be like? Chewy, crunchy… spicy?"

Arachnid was seriously concerned by Michael words now. Would he really do that? Was it possible that he had lost his senses? She thought to end him there and then before he had a chance to do just that. She took a step forward and Michael retaliated by pulling out his phone.

"Not one step Arachnid!" He yelled, showing his phone for her to see as if it was a weapon. She stopped immediately.

"I've placed grenade machine launchers all over the place and they are all trained on you. They fire 30mm grenades at one every half a second which can kill any human within an area of half a football pitch from a thousand yards away. One more step and I activate them with my phone" He threatened.

Arachnid couldn't detect any hint of deceit in his voice so she was willing to believe it.

"You wouldn't dare, Optimus wouldn't allow it" She said knowing the Primes ideals very well.

Michael smirked, he knew she would try that card. The children would do what they believed Optimus would do, but this was Michael, he had his own set of rules and they kept him alive for years. It didn't matter what Optimus would do. Arcee and Elita could only watch and wait hoping that Michael could pull it off without Arachnid calling his bluff.

"Yes, Optimus wouldn't allow it… but I'm not Optimus and I don't take orders from him" Arachnid eyes lit up. He was really going to do it.

Michael raised his phone with his finger on the main select button "Are you ready Arachnid! HERE COMES THE ALL-SPARK!" He was about to press the button. Arachnid for the first time in eons was terrified that she was about to be blown to smithereens. Arcee and Elita sparks seemingly stopped pumping energon.

"NOOOO, DON'T DO IT!" Cried Arachnid she genuinely believed Michael was about to kill her. Michael lowered the phone but still held it in plain sight.

"Well then, if you don't want to meet your maker then I suggest you transform... and get the fuck out" He said in venom, his face was still devoid of emotion, still cold and dark.

Arachnid stepped back, jumped in the air and transformed into a helicopter and took off before Michael ha the chance to change his mind. Arcee and Elita slowly turned their head to each other, they couldn't believe it, Michael had not only kept Arachnid at bay but made her fly away with nothing but words.

Arcee and Elita stepped into the clearing, speechless.

"Wow, just wow" Elita managed to say.

"And that's how we do that" Michael said, feeling really proud of himself.

"Arcee to Optimus. We discovered Arachnid and… Michael chased her off. We're about to get a sample of the energon now"

"Good work, we have just arrived at out coordinates as well. Get as much as you can and return to base" Optimus said through the com link.

Meanwhile back at the high school in Jasper it was lunchtime and Raff was desperately trying to find Jack or Miko before Vince and his gang found him. He tried walking behind a large group of students, hoping that they would hide him until he got to either of his friends.

"Going somewhere?" Raff shuddered and slowly turned around to see his gang beginning to circle him.

"Vince I won't give it. It's mine, not yours now leave me alone"

Vince became angry, he scowled at the small boy "We agreed to five bucks or…" he grabbed Raff by the shoulders and again slammed him into a locker "Give it"

"No"

Vince growled and his mates searched Raff trouser pockets until they found the five dollar note. Raff tried to break free to get it back.

"No it's mine, give it back!" He yelled hoping to get attention from others, hoping they would help but no one would. Vince took hold of the five dollar note. "Thank you very much" He let go of Raff and they made their escape like villains in the night.

He then broke down and cried on the floor. It was bad enough the first time, but to have it done a second time in a row and to have no one to help him, he felt utterly humiliated.

"Raff!" Jack came running down the corridor seeing his younger friend all upset. He crouched down and Raff hugged Jack hard. Jack didn't know what had happened but returned the hug as it seemed to help Raff.

Back at the Autobot base the team had managed to procure a good amount of energon without any Decepticons showing up. They had enough to keep them going easily for the next month or so. It was a good haul.

"You've got some pretty big bearing their Mike, now I definitely know not to get on your bad side" Bulkhead said after hearing about what happened between Michael and Arachnid.

"Michael" Optimus spoke. Michael left the group formed by the children's guardians to face Optimus.

"Look, I know what you're going to say, I knew what I was doing and I hoped to resolve the matter without violence and bloodshed so-"

"I just wanted to say, you acted admirably, although I do question your choice of words. But they worked and that all that matters. Thank you"

"Thanks Optimus"

From the time it took to get to the energon deposit, to mining it and bringing it back school was about to finish so the three Autobot were about to roll out to collect them.

"Hang on Bumblebee" Elita called after him. He stopped in his tracks. "I'm picking up Raff today"

Bumblebee beeped and whistled.

"Raff was having a slight problem at school and he asked me to help him"

He beeped and whistled some more.

"He was upset about it and didn't want you to see him like that"

Bumblebee's door wings drooped.

"It's ok Bee, he didn't mean to hurt your feelings or anything, he felt bad because of this problem. I'll be a little later than the other two" She gave him a reassuring smile and put a hand in his shoulder. Soon Elita, Arcee and Bulkhead were rolling out towards the school.

After a short journey later the three Autobots arrived at the school where the three children were waiting. Jack and Miko were puzzled by Elita's appearance. The two went to their respective guardians while Raff slowly approached Elita. She activated her hologram and the figure of a woman in her early forties wearing a flowing light pink that reached to just below her knees and matching high heels. Her hologram was one of a mature beauty and she definitely looked old enough to be Raff mother, which was the whole point of the look. Hologram didn't move at all, just sitting in the driver's seat looking dead ahead.

"Raff, in my glove box in a hologram transmitter, could you please get it" Elita said through the door speakers. Raff did just that and placing the small device in his pocket. Then the hologram came to life as if it came out of a trance. She stepped out and walked around to the pavement. She smiled down at Raff.

"How are you?" She asked softly.

"Vince did it again" Raff said, his eyes welling up slightly. She kneeled down and pulled him into a tight hug.

"I'm here how. Now show me the way to the principal's office" She asked, letting him and standing up again.

Raff led her into the school and down the main corridor of the school. The office was fairly close to the main entrance so they had reached it in almost no time at all. Raff knocked on the door with the opaque glass which said Principal quite easy to read.

"Yes, come in" A man's voice was heard. Raff opened the door and went in first. Elita followed him and closed the door afterwards.

"Ah, Mr Esquivel. And what brings you here young man?" He asked cheerfully.

"Sir, I-I" He was struggling as to what to say.

Elita said it for him "He is having a problem with bullies"

"Ah, and you might be?"

"I'm a concerned friend"

"Ms?" The principal knew to be careful that something else might be going on and always had the children safety at heart.

"Ms Elita" She couldn't think of anything to say, saying her own name made it sound natural instead of making one up on the spot which would have looked suspicious. It seemed to satisfy the principal.

He gestured for the two to seat down in front of his desk. The two did just that.

"So what exactly is happening?"

Raff just couldn't bring himself to say it so once again Elita did "Somebody by the name of Vince yesterday forced Raff to give up his lunch money. Obviously Raff refused but they took it from him anyway, then they went on the threaten him to stay quiet. And again today they have done it. Yesterday they took five dollars and I believe they did the same today"

The principal looked at Raff "Is this true?" He asked gently.

"Y-Yes sir"

"Five dollars yesterday and today" Raff could only nod, he had become very timid. "Ok, well you did the right thing to speak with me. Ms Elita, I'll see to it that Vince is dealt with properly. I'll speak with his teachers before they go this evening and have them sort him out on Monday. Raff, everything's going to be fine, don't you worry"

"T-Thank you sir"

"Thank you" Elita said. The both of them got up and Elita showed the door for Raff who was still feeling timid. The two walked back down the corridor and out the main entrance where Vince and his gang where waiting.

"Hello Raff, decided to call your mummy?"

"Stand aside, boys" Elita said to them. Vince stood directly in front of them, preventing them from going down the steps. Raff retreated behind Elita so he could hide from the gang.

Elita sneered at Vince "Stand aside or I will call a certain British friend of mine and ask him to remove you" Vince's eyes widen in fright, he knew what she meant by 'Certain British friend'. That monster of a man who stood at six foot eight and was extremely muscular and could take serious punishment. "Now get out of our way" She seethed.

Vince instantly stepped aside and Elita took Raff's hand and led him toward her true self. Once Raff was secured in his seat she looked at him, he was shaking, truly scared that something would have happened. He knew it wasn't over.

"You alright?" She inquired.

"Let's just go" He said.

"Sure thing sweet heart" Elita's roof came over and the windows rolled up and the hologram disappeared when the gang didn't look and she took off quickly before they noticed the car was driving itself.

Vince looked on and scowled, he was going to get payback.